Pond of Words - Without You, Today Pt. 1

A few days later, sitting in the Palace's courtyard was Stella. She was sitting on a marble bench, underneath a short pine tree, overlooking a small pond they had in the courtyard. Stella couldn't stop thinking about the incident and her reaction that caused it to conclude the way it did. Sitting here and reflecting in the early morning was her way of attempting to understand her actions. She tries to understand her feelings, assuming this was a step of growth.

While meditating in the serene dawn, she hears excessive blabber behind her, recognizing the loud tone of someone she despises. It was her brother, Austin Hornfel; the prince of the Hornfel family. Regardless of being siblings, Stella doesn't feel the brightest joy when he's around, due to the silly and reckless nature of Austin's character often leading her to be frustrated and annoyed. Despite all of this, they still have some love for each other. At the moment, he was talking to the chambermaid of the Palace, Sam.

"Your Highness, yes. I am supposed to call you "Your Highness" as well. And it does not matter if you do not live with us. You are still part of royal blood."

"I didn't know that...interesting. Fascinating even. I would go as far as to say intriguing. But you don't have to do that Sam. I've known you since I was little." he puts his arm behind his head, scratching his short and messy pumpkin-orange hair, while smiling at Sam.

"I understand, Your Highness, however I will still continue to address you the way I deem correct. Stella should be out here somewhere." she gestures towards the open space with a few pine trees, the pond, and a few flower patches, "She started waking up early to take walks outside. Something must be bothering her, yet she refuses to let me know."

Austin laughs, adjusting his tinted eyewear, supposedly to block out the sunlight from reflecting into his amber eyes, "Thank you kindly, Sam. I will take it from here. I've always known to bring joy and comfort to my little sister. Here, you can take this. A reward for your assistance." he takes a wooden stem with purplish black grapes from his ocean-blue linen coat, handing them over to Sam. She looks at them for a few seconds while he's holding them. As soon as he starts slightly moving his arm up and down, she takes them, although still puzzled. She smiles and thanks Austin for his gift, before returning inside the Palace.

Stella, overhearing the conversation, feels a headache coming already. As she hears Austin's boots stepping on the grass, she turns around to face him just as he loudly speaks, "Who is that? Who is that! Sitting by herself, if not my little sister! Hey Stella...how do you like the new look?" He asks as he does a few quick poses showcasing his new hairstyle to Stella.

Austin was slightly older than Stella, and relatively the same height as her. He was thin, his skin slightly more tan than Stella's. At the moment, He was wearing a white silk undertunic under his deep-ocean blue coat and had a pair of dark trousers and leather boots.

"Austin. You look hideous. Why? Why the red strand of hair? Did you run out of those herbs?"

"Um...no. I am disgusted by your comment. I look fantastic." he pets his hair and shakes his head, "So fluffy. I decided to leave a bit red to showcase my deep rooted love and appreciation for the world."

Stella rolls her eyes, sighing after Austin's reply. "Did you need anything? I was doing my own thing here, you know. Did Sam tell you to find me? I told her to not be concerned for me."

"Listen, listen, listen. Nothing is important right now. I'm here for you, sister." approaching Stella, he opens his arms for a hug, before Stella slaps his arms out of the way. He takes a step back, and speaks while looking at the pond, seeing a few fish swimming around. "Okay. No hugs. I get it. You know...I get it. No hugs. But, but, but. I know something that will cheer you up."

After his failed attempt at "cheering" Stella up, she repeatedly tells him there's nothing wrong, which he ignores. He puts his hand inside his coat, and rummages through his pockets.

"What are you doing? Leave me be."

"I'm so mad. I have no more."

"No more what? What were you gonna give me?"

"Grapes. I have no grapes."

"...What?"

"I was gonna give you some grapes. I had given away all my grapes."

"Please leave me alone."

Austin sits down besides Stella. They sit in silence for a few moments. The moment slowly becomes peaceful again, since Austin got quiet from frustration. Stella calms down and opens up to Austin a bit, without telling him what is actually bothering her, instead explaining she's really fine and just needed some time to be alone. Austin nods in understanding, still mad that he couldn't give his sister any grapes.

"Right. Aunt Helen said we should go review all stores and markets this week. Audrey arrived this morning with me. It's so lame to go..."

"I hate doing it. I don't know why mother makes us do it all the time."

"I think it's because she wants you to be seen more in your Kingdom. I'm here mostly to drag you along."

"Thank you Austin. That's not...helping."

They stay together for a bit more outside, before heading back inside the Palace to grab some of their stuff and meet with Audrey, a respected and knowledgeable merchant from beyond the country. After they've gathered all their belongings, they head out and walk to the Town Market, inspecting all stalls, merchants and the goods. Next they head to the Soil District and do the same. Entering various bakeries, carpenter shops, stonemason shops and other stores found in the Soil District. After a few monotone hours of walking, greeting everyone and following Audrey's instructions on what to say or what to do, Stella is exhausted while Austin seems to be enjoying himself heavily. Seems like the attention keeps him energized.

They've been walking for a while, and now enter Aloe Street. According to Audrey, one of her good old friends lives somewhere around here. They swiftly approach Sir Drake's home. After knocking on the door, Sir Drake opens it, greeting Audrey with a big hug. He is a middle-aged man with a bushy beard. He bows in respect to the princess and her brother, before letting them inside his home. As they get settled in, he lets them enter the room on the ground floor, presumably where lives. They all sit down and get comfortable as he prepares tea for them.

Audrey softly speaks, as Drake has his back turned from them, "Alright you two. Now it's your turn to show me what you've learned. There is an apothecary registered under Drake's name upstairs. It's where he's hired a few workers that work for him while he is away. I'd like you two to go without me upstairs, examine the condition of the apothecary, and report later to me if it's all like I taught you."

"Yes, Miss Audrey." they spoke in unison. Excusing themselves, they promptly leave Drake's home and head upstairs. The upstairs is similarly decorated to the first floor and Drake's room, pale wooden walls and a dark wooden floor shroud the hallway. There is a similar white rug in the center of the hallway. On their left, a turquoise glass door is ajar, and they look at each other before creepily entering.

Upon opening the door, the strong smell of herbs immediately catches them both off guard, they cover their noses for a second before looking around. There are dozens of wooden shelves and cupboards, with all sorts of herbs and remedies labelled with various names. There is a counter with some notes, and a small bell. In the center of the room, there is a really big porcelain vase with a flower inside it. The room is well lit, with lots of natural lighting coming from the glass windows. As Stella begins to read the labels of various herbs, Austin taps on the bell, immediately ringing it loudly. Stella turns around surprised by the loud bell, and begins scolding Austin for ringing it already.

They suddenly stop talking, when they hear some rummaging noises in the backroom behind the counter. The door slowly opens, and a short young woman in a simple white gown walks in. Her black short hair was tied in a small ponytail. As she walks into the room, she greets the two customers, and looks very surprised when she spots Stella, who gets slightly pale. She begins thinking to herself in sudden distress:

"Why is she here? What is she doing here? Does she work here? Oh...Chara. We meet again."

To be continued.